Definition of haiku

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< Haikou

hail >

hai·ku    (hk) KEY 

NOUN:
pl. haiku, also hai·kus

1. A Japanese lyric verse form having three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables, traditionally invoking an aspect of nature or the seasons.
2. A poem written in this form.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Japanese : hai, amusement (from Middle Chinese bij, pha·j) + ku, sentence (from Middle Chinese kuh)